by Coleridge · Cluster: Maturation and Growth · Childhood · Innocence and Experience
Abstract
Simple hymn-prayer in a child’s voice for parents, brothers and an innocent grateful heart, awaking to God’s eternal day. Themes of childhood innocence, faith and prayer.
Connections
Archetypes: Child Motifs: Prayer, Childhood, Sleep Themes & Concepts: Faith, Innocence and Experience, Maturation and Growth Forms & Genres: Hymn Historical References: Christianity
Testo integrale / Full text
Ere on my bed my limbs I lay,
God grant me grace my prayers to say:
O God! preserve my mother dear
In strength and health for many a year;
And, O! preserve my father too, 5
And may I pay him reverence due;
And may I my best thoughts employ
To be my parents’ hope and joy;
And O! preserve my brothers both
From evil doings and from sloth, 10
And may we always love each other
Our friends, our father, and our mother:
And still, O Lord, to me impart
An innocent and grateful heart,
That after my great sleep I may 15
Awake to thy eternal day! Amen.
1806.